In suburbs, gay couple who back Obama feel like a political minority

Men teaching their 2 kids that 'it's still possible to be friends with people you may not agree with'

November 04, 2012

(Phil Velasquez)

David and Lee Neubecker stood packed among others at Obama's Grant Park rally on election night in 2008.

But the congestion and push-and-shove of the crowd was overshadowed by the moment of American history, they said.

"Emotion hit me when we saw the sea of people at Congress and Michigan," said David Neubecker, 44. "I knew something big was taking place. We were taking a stand on the type of country we wanted America to be."

Lee Neubecker, 40, recalls his aching feet from standing and being pressed against a metal fence — but never having felt more proud that his country "had finally looked past race and focused on the issues."

"I remember looking at the president behind a shield of bulletproof glass and thinking about what a statement he was making standing up there, given the number of people who had expressed hatred for him," he said. "Our country had just elected a great leader who was also black."

The Neubeckers, who were married in San Francisco in 2004, worked on Obama's campaign in 2008, but they said raising their children made it hard to be as involved this time. The two expressed continued support for Obama — not only because of his stance on marriage equality, but also because of health care and immigration issues.

David Neubecker said the economy has been a struggle for everyone around him. But with the stock market and home prices rising, he said, Obama should be given four more years to keep the country moving in the "right direction."

The couple bought a home last year in River Forest, a place where David Neubecker said he feels like they're the political minority.

"More than half of the neighborhood has Romney signs in their lawn. It really wakes you up, especially since these people are close friends and neighbors," he said. "I was so frustrated by it I drove to Lombard to get Obama signs — now we have two in our yard."

Their two children, ages 8 and 10, are beginning to understand what the election means on a personal level for their family, said David Neubecker, a stay-at-home dad.

"They go to rallies with us and understand the importance of being involved in the process," he said. "We're teaching them to stand up for what you believe in, even if those around you don't see eye to eye. And, it's still possible to be friends with people you may not agree with."